Have you just finished your teaching degree and now ready to start looking for work? Or just ready to get back into teaching after a period of time off? There is plenty out there and especially at this time of the year. So it is time to update your CV and start visiting your preferred schools.

As a beginning casual teacher;  

• Fix up your CV

• Ensure you have your teaching number. You will need one with the Department of Education or Catholic Education Department. If you would like to teach in an Independent School you must approach the school first.

• Complete any compulsory online training’s - such as anaphylaxis

• Ensure you have your ‘Working with Children Check’.

Now you are ready to visit the schools;

• Take your CV with you and a copy of your certificates

• Most public schools use ‘Class Cover ’app to book you for casual days. Select which days you would like to work. Simply accept or decline any offers.

• Taste test schools. Get a feel for the school before committing to one. Suss out the students, the teachers, the leadership, the time if takes to get to and from school. Decide which school best fits you. 

• Ensure to tell schools if you enjoyed working there, or if not. Let them know of any issues you may have incurred. What stages you prefer to teach.

• You do not have to be available every day. Work the days that suit you.

When you score some teaching days;

• Arrive at least half an hour before school and stay at least half an hour after

• Have some go to activities prepared. You will not always have a day outline left for you

• If there has been no work left, make a rough plan. Look for a timetable in the room or ask the teacher next door what the usual routine may be. It is okay to ask for help. Send a child to another room if they are being too much of a nuisance or disruption

• Ask the students – they usually know where the materials are, what the usual routine is

• Don’t panic if you don’t get through work been set but give it a good shot

• Pace yourself – do not rush through activities. You have the whole day to fill

• Mark roll first thing in the morning

• Ensure you know the correct recess, lunch times and procedures. Ask what is expectation in wet weather, any school rules, lock down and evacuation plans, duty bag and vest

• Teach rather than supervise

• Leave feedback for the teacher – what was taught, what was not covered, any issues

• Have students assist to clean the room at the end of the day, clear tables, pick up any rubbish on the floor, ipads plugged in to charge

• Ensure the room is left neat and tidy. Pull blinds down, put chairs up on tables

• Be prepared to put in a solid days work. Expect a duty every day. Do not expect any RFF. If the class has RFF, you will usually be put on another class at this time. Correct any work students complete.

• You will be called back if they see you making a genuine effort

• Take your stamps, stickers or certificates along to reward your best learners

• Use lots of positive reinforcement – give well done’s, give high fives in the air, get a standing ovation, or cheering loud standing ovation

If nothing has been left, try;

• Silent reading is a great go to

• Take a picture book along – so many options to do comprehension activities

• Locate spelling words – play games – bingo, buzz off, write them out, act them out, which word am I thinking of, give clues

• Practice counting, times tables - play circle champion

• Teach a song – have a list of songs you can teach, use GoNoodle or ones from my blog post here

• Use any of these activities on my blog post Casual Teaching Lifesavers

• You may not always be able to log into the computer so do not rely on the Internet. Include non digital activities in your plans

Do you have any advice for starting casual teaching? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.